Biography

Arthur J. Caplan is Professor of Economics in the Department of Applied Economics at Utah State University. He earned his Ph D. degree in Economics from the University of Oregon in 1996. Since that time, he has taught courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels in microeconomics, environmental economics, public policy, and quantitative analysis. His research has investigated a broad range of predominantly environmental issues, with a focus on the control of transboundary pollution problems, non-market valuation of waste management alternatives, water quality trading, and water conservation.

Teaching Interests

Dr. Caplan currently teaches PhD courses in microeconomic theory and environmental economics. The microeconomic theory courses explore classical demand and production theory, along with an analysis of market-structure, asymmetric information, uncertainty, and general equilibrium analysis. The environmental economics course introduces the student to the seminal papers in externality theory, asymmetric information, monitoring and enforcement, and stock externalities.

Research Interests

Dr. Caplan's research program is focused primarily in three areas – the control of transboundary pollution, non-market valuation of environmental goods, and pollution trading. Within the area of transboundary pollution, his interests relate to the design of efficient mechanisms to control global externalities, such as climate change and acid rain, whose economic jurisdictions transcend the political jurisdictions of affected countries. The mechanisms are normative and theoretical, e.g., an “Ideal Kyoto Protocol” to control climate change. Within the area of non-market valuation, his work focuses on estimating household willingness to pay for different waste disposal options, such as curbside recycling, quantity-based pricing, and landfill location. This work is positive and empirical, and is used to inform policy making at the community, state and national levels. More recently, Dr. Caplan has been conducting research in the area of pollution trading, in specific water quality trading. He is also a member of an inter-disciplinary team of researchers investigating residential water conservation.

Kleinsorge Summer Research Fellowship, 1994

Kleinsorge Summer Research Fellowship, 1993

Kleinsorge Summer Research Fellowship, 1993

Dean's Award for Enterprising Students, 1981

Vice-President's Award for Outstanding Students, 1981

University of Michigan

Dean's Award for Enterprising Students, 1981

Vice President's Award for Outstanding Students, 1981

Publications - Abstracts

Publications - Books & Book Chapters

Book Chapters

Finnoff, D., Caplan, A.J, Gilbert, J., (2011).Bioeconomics and International Trade: The Case of the Great Salt Lake, Utah: New Development in Computable General Equilibrium Analysis for Trade Policy. Emerald Group Publishing

Caplan, A.J, Finnoff, D., Gilbert, J., (2011).Bioeconomics and International Trade: The Case of the Great Salt Lake, Utah. Frontiers in Economics and Globalization, Volume 7, Emerald Group Publishing *

Caplan, A.J, (2002).Poverty and Access to Health Care: An Academic Service Learning Project in Economics.Putting the Invisible Hand to Work: Concepts and Models for Service Learning in Economics, K.M. McGoldrick and A. Ziegert (eds.). University of Michigan Press

Caplan, A.J, McGoldrick, K.M, Ziegert, A., (2002).Poverty and access to health care: an academic service learning project in economics. Putting the Invisible Hand to Work: Concepts and Models for Service Learning in Economics, University of Michigan Press *

Caplan, A.J, Cornes, R.C, Silva, E.C, (2000).Pure Public Goods and Income Redistribution in a Federation with Decentralized Leadership and Imperfect Labor Mobility. Journal of Public Economics , 77:2, 265-84.

Caplan, A.J, Silva, E.C, Cornes, R.C, (2000).Pure public goods and income redistribution in a federation with decentralized leadership and imperfect labor mobility. Journal of Public Economics, 77:2, 265-284.

Brist, L.E, Caplan, A.J, (1999).More Evidence on the Role of Secondary Education in the Development of Lower-Income Countries: Wishful Thinking or Useful Knowledge?. Economic Development and Cultural Change , 48:1, 155-76.

Caplan, A.J, Ellis, C.J, Silva, E.C, (1999).Winners and Losers in a World with Global Warming: Noncooperation, Altruism, and Social Welfare. Journal of Environmental Economics and Management , 37:3, 256-71.

Caplan, A.J, Brist, L.E, (1999).More Evidence on the Role of Secondary Education in the Development of Lower-Income Countries: Wishful Thinking or Useful Knowledge?. Economic Development and Cultural Change, 48:1, 155-176.